BCHI /BCHA – Backcountry Musings

BCHA Board of Directors & Education Reports

20. September 2018 · Write a comment · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

September 2018 National Director Report
respectfully submitted by Marybeth Conger, BCHI National Director

It was indeed an honor to represent the State of Idaho at the National Board meeting on April 23-25 in Spokane, Washington. Next year the meeting is in North Carolina. Hope you find this report informative. I am always available to answer questions or hear your concerns. 208-369-0769 or mbconger1@gmail.com
Some meeting highlights include:
1. memorial for lost members
2. acceptance of all agendas, letters, and minutes
3. Wisconsin was voted in as our newest state
4. eleven committees reported
5. a balanced budget was presented and approved
6. resolution to add a youth membership category narrowly passed. Keep in mind, each state can decide to add one or not because BCH is a downward up organization. The state of Idaho voted against this resolution citing liability concerns and question of overreaching
7. BCHA foundation had grant monies to help fund chapter and/or state activities. For more details visit www.bcha.org/blog/2017/12/06/bcha-education-foundation-grants

September 22, 2018 Education Report- respectfully submitted by Marybeth Conger BCHI Education Chair

Last year in Idaho, a bill was proposed to change Title 25, Animals, Chapter 11, State Brand Board and eliminate equine annual and lifetime brand inspections since fees collected did not cover expenses. Fortunately, this bill was tabled to give an opportunity for industry input. On September 10, I and many others, attended a collaborative industry meeting at the Idaho State Police Headquarters located in Meridian, Idaho. The purpose of this meeting was for discussions regarding different ideas/proposals to make the equine brand inspection program more financially sustainable. Attendees included Cody Burlile State Brand Inspector, Idaho Cattle Association, The Beef Board, Idaho Dairy Bureau, Idaho Farm Bureau, Back Country Horsemen of America, Back Country Horsemen of Idaho, American Quarter horse association, Dressage, Idaho Horse Council and the Idaho Horse Board. It was agreed that the Idaho Horse Council (IHC) would take the lead and write a proposal to reflect a higher fee for equine inspections and submit the IHC board ratified proposal to the other meeting attendees. IHC will work with Cody Burlile to collect information and program insight when drafting the proposal. IHC would need to hire a lobbyist too. As equine owners, we know these inspections legitimize ownership. But let’s not forget that the Idaho Horse Board (IHB) gets $3.00 for each inspection. Funds collected are then given back to Idaho horse industry yearly in the form of grants to further interests in promotion, research, and education. Since 1989, $496,395 in grants have been awarded. If your chapter is looking for monies to further chapter education or promotion and research, make sure to complete and submit your grant application by December 1st. Details can be found at www.idahohorseboard.com. Please help to spread the word and let me know, if any questions about the proposed fee increase or how Idaho Horse Board grants can help BCHI chapters achieve education goals.

BCHA Website – New stuff

11. June 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

https://www.bcha.org/

BCHI Annual Report 2017 Projects

10. May 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA

vol-hrs-rpt-2017
annual-report-2017

BCHA/BCHI National Director Report, from Marybeth Conger

08. May 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

Marybeth and Cherokee Lighter

BCHA/BCHI National Director Report, from Marybeth Conger

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent BCHI at the BCHA annual board meeting. Next year the meeting will be in North Carolina.

The annual BCHA board meeting was April 23-25 in Spokane, Washington which is where Bill and I came from. Meeting highlights include a memorial for lost members, acceptance of all agendas, letters, and minutes, Wisconsin was voted as our newest state, there were 11 committee reports, and a budget was approved. I was very impressed to hear that BCHA combined volunteer hours were very close to 13 million and the budget included funds for education.

Erica Fern is a full time employee who handles administration to include data. She presented a brochure and a traveling booth for use at public out reach. Also heard about Your Membership (YM) and how BCHW piloted to have this computer platform handle their membership data. There is some cost if a state chooses to do that.

Ken Carmichael, BCHW then presented a membership expansion program that was impressive. States then divided into 4 regions to discuss issues that were then presented to the committees. Bottom line, feedback was given on how the committees can help us and what the priority of their actions should be. The committees then meet and decided action plans and next steps. It was Interesting to see that all board members are on at least one committee. After all, we need to be part of the solution, right?

There was a guest speaker from Trail master; a Retired Forest Service employee shared his knowledge, and lastly a presentation on the most effective way to contact politicians.

We then passed several governing policy changes, which was informative. Then there were nominations and BCHA leadership is as follows: Freddy Dunn, Chairman, Darrell Wallace, Vice Chair, Sherry Copeland, Treasurer, Non director Executive Committee (EC) member, Mike McGlenn, and two Board members to the EC, Mark Himmell and Ginny Grulke. There was some wording issue in the governing policy that said the past chair would be on the EC for one year. The board voted to have the past chair on the EC for 2018 and that a committee reviews this wording for presentation at the next annual meeting.

Bill even agreed to be the auctioneer at the live auction. He did a great job getting people to spend more than they planned, just ask Mike McGlenn next time you see him.

USFS Saw Policy Program Manager Region 1&4 (update)

14. March 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Education

BCHI Members,

Thank you so much for the opportunity to join you, the State Board of Directors and also members of BCHI at your annual state convention! It was great to meet you all and learn more about the great work the chapters are doing throughout Idaho, as well as share information and answer questions about the Forest Service’s saw policy.

I’m always amazed at the dedication and amount of volunteer and partner work that BCH members give – you are all very much appreciated not only for the time and talent you give, but also for your passion for public lands. Thank you!

Here’s some additional follow-up items for everyone:

• The first is a letter from our Regional Forester here in R1 announcing our new Northern Region Wilderness Skills Institute, that will be occurring in Powell, ID the week of May 21-25; additional information is also in this email if folks scroll below. If folks have an interest, I would recommend signing up soon, per the highlighted link below, as I anticipate the sessions will fill up fast.

• The name of the R4 Saw Program Manager is Brian Burbridge and he can be reached at phone: 801-531-5320 or bburbridge@fs.fed.us. I would recommend that local chapters first contact the primary ranger district staff that they work with to see about saw training opportunities locally; if none are available, the district staff can work with/contact Brian to see about setting something up or seeing where trainings are being offered that folks can attend.

• The R1 Saw Program Manager is Todd Wilson. He is working with local ranger districts directly to set up saw trainings so I would recommend that chapters on the Idaho Panhandle and Nez Perce Clearwater NFs work directly with their local unit contacts first or with BCH volunteer sawyers Jerry Lange and Joe Robinson re: setting something up.

o R1 (Northern Region) covers the Idaho Panhandle NF and the Nez Perce Clearwater NF

o R4 (Intermountain Region) covers the Payette, Boise, Salmon Challis, Sawtooth, and Caribou Targee NFs

o It’s important to note that BCH volunteer C level instructor or evaluator sawyers need to coordinate with local FS units to set up cutting areas for training; volunteer sawyers also need a letter of designation from the Regional Saw Program Manager in order to instruct/evaluate. The FS (either FS line officer, Regional Saw Program Manager, or delegated forest/district saw program coordinator) is the “certifying official” who signs the saw card, based on recommendations from the saw evaluators.

• Conservation United (www.conservationinsurance.com or phone (844-559-8336) is the company that, as of a year ago, sounded like they also offered insurance (workers compensation) coverage for volunteer and partner groups using volunteers. They provide insurance coverage for many youth corps groups around the country, including youth corps using veterans engaged in hazardous fuels reduction (i.e., chain saw) work, and they had indicated to me that they also can provide insurance for volunteers. Not sure current status/current policies they offer but folks might want to visit with them to see what they currently offer.

Hope this is helpful for folks. Again, really appreciated being able to share some information on the saw policy and spend some time together. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!

Informal Letter 1 Signature Saw Policy Key Points – Volunteers and Partners

2018 BCHI Spring Convention – Clarkston, WA

11. March 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

The 2018 BCHI Spring Board Meeting & Convention was hosted by the “Twin Rivers” chapter in Clarkston, WA.( Clarkston is a city in Asotin County, Washington, United States. It is part of the Lewiston metropolitan area, and is located west of Lewiston, Idaho, across the Snake River. The population of Clarkston was 7,229 in 2010 census.) The Board Meeting was held on Friday March 9th and was attended by members, Bill & Marybeth Conger, Phil & Kay Ryan, Lynn & Peggy Garner. Bill Holt attended the BCHI Foundation meeting during the same time.

Rob Adams arrived around 16:30 just at the meeting was breaking up and joined the group with the addition of Christ Holt for happy hour. During the social hour members from the various chapter swapped stories and planned where to get dinner.

Starting sharply at 08:00 Saturday morning, Bill Conger graveled the convention to order and issues talked about at the board meeting were voted on. A guest speaker from district one of the USFS talked about progress being made on the national sawyer program and how both district one and four were doing implementing it. Jeff Halligran from the “Idaho Trails Association” talked about his organization, requested help with packing support, and gave an interesting presentation on cross cut saws.

Lunch was served and the afternoon was spent in various training sessions, and group discussions. While all this was going on, BCHI members were checking out the auction items. After a great dinner of either prime rib or seasoned chicken breast, the winners of the chapter displays and photo contests were announced.

Squaw Butte was awarded second place in the chapter displays (see other displays) and took top honors in the photo contest.

Laurie Bryan took both first and second prizes for her photo’s of Janelle Weeks & Shelly Duff. David Benson’s mule picture took a first place in the animal division and Rob Adams picture of Payette sticking his tongue out won third prize.
The auction followed, with lively bidding that was somewhat hampered by the high noise level in the room. Some great items were taken home by members and the coffers of the foundation were expanded.

2018 Idaho Sportsman Show

06. March 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA

Guides, outfitters, Public land agencies, non-profits and sportsmen of all stripes converge here for a gear-filled good time. With tips on fishing, hunting, elk calling, and more, there’s plenty to do for those who chase the call of the wild. There’s even stuff for the kids with an archery shoot, live trout pond, and other fun things to hunt out.

For the four days of the Idaho Sportsman show, members from three BCHI Chapters and members of the Idaho Trail Association manned a booth on the east end of row “D” next to the US Forest Service Booth at Expo Idaho (fair grounds). These trail ambassadors handed out information about volunteer trail work and their organizations and talked to many of the shows visitors.

It was also a good time to hang out with other chapter members and talk about the upcoming year. Members of BCHI who participated: Janelle Weeks, Lisa Krogh, Jim & Bonnie Fox, Gary & Ann Hale, Dan Pryse, Lynn & Peggy Garver, Carmen Tyack, Bill and Marybeth Conger, Nancy Smith, Shannon Schantz, Gary Towle, Donnie & Erin Thornugh, Paul & Jill George, David Benson, Phil & Kay Ryan, Joe Williams, Janine Townsend, Bill Holt, Dick Peterson and Rob Adams. Bryan DuFosse coordinated the ITA members who worked the booth.

This year’s 40 years down the trail convention has something new for all you amazing BCHI members

04. February 2018 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

This year’s 40 years down the trail convention has something new for all you amazing BCHI members, says BCHI Education chair, Marybeth Conger.

Saturday, March 10^th from 1:00 until 4:30, there will be the first ever BCHI Chapter Member Training workshops. Training covers various chapter positions and other pertinent educational topics. These training workshops are listed below along with the name of the instructor.

Chapter President/ Vice President– Bill Conger and Rod Parks

Chapter Secretary– Debbie Samovar

Chapter Treasurer– Kay Ryan

BCHI Foundation and Amazon Smile fundraising– Chris Reed and Bill Holt

Volunteer Hours reporting– Rod Parks

Back country Horseman of America– Steve Didier

Idaho Horse Council & BCHI Website– Raenette Didier and Jill Nebeker

Chapter Education Chair– Marybeth Conger and Karen Kimball

Also, at the Friday, March 9^th State Board of Director meeting, Steve Didier is presenting to the directors a training workshop covering State Director/National Director. Members are welcome to attend too. So please come join us at this year convention for some great learning, fun, and comradery . The workshop schedule will be posted on the BCHI website too. If anyone has questions, about the training workshops, please reach out to Marybeth Conger at b.mbconger@gmail.com.

BCHI Foundation Quarterly December 2017

29. December 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

2018 Calendars are now available (sold out)

07. October 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA

Calendar Info – Contact Charles & Lorraine Chick if you have any questions about the Calendars.

September 2017 SBBCH Directors Report

05. October 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

Respectfully submitted by Marybeth Conger, SBBCH State Director

Thank you so much, for giving me the opportunity to represent you at the September 16, 2017 State Board meeting. I am very glad to report that 14 of the 16 chapters were represented. I have not yet received the official BCHI meeting minutes, so this will be a brief, abbreviated report. Here are some of the meeting high lights:

BCHI received was given a 501 c 4 tax exempt status effective March 2017

Dale Schremp, has agreed to be BCHI’s Sawyer coordinator. He is the perfect candidate

BCHI is looking for a Broomtales editor, which is a member at large position. This fall will be Lorelei’s last edition. Expenses to attend the BOD meeting are reimbursed. Please let me know if you might be interested or have additional questions

The Boise Chapter proposals were discussed and the specific actions will be detailed in the minutes. BCHI to get a list of grant info and Idaho congressional delegation to make contacts easier

Discussed media and important to NOT over- represent info presented

Nominating committee was established. Chair, Vice Chair, National Director, and Alternate are open position to be voted upon. I agreed to run for the open national director position

We discussed calendar photo criteria and the pros and cons of providing email info to BCHA

The website coordinator received ok to make the changes she feels will make the website easier to use

Ways and means again reviewed the calendar sales. Our chapter continues to support this fundraiser

All chapters are to have the Y/E volunteer reports and the annual report to Rod Parks no later than Jan 15. He would like a short, simple report of activities with one photo from each chapter

IHC Grants and coloring book update- Easy one page form for grant request found on the IHC website The IHC coloring books are done too and no cost details as of this writing

There will be some By-Law changes with more info to come on this. The current format was discussed as it pertains to revision, some housekeeping, and then matching up new officers’ effective dates.

Public lands reports both north and south reviewed

Once I get the official minutes, I will send them out for placement on the blog and email out to all SBBCH members. Let me know if any questions. Here is IHC coloring book. What a great way to involve youth!

Back Country Horseman of Idaho Education report – October 2017

05. October 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA

Respectfully submitted by Marybeth Conger, BCHI Education chair October 5, 2017

Back Country Horseman of Idaho (BCHI) Leave No Trace (LNT) Master Educator Training Expectations. Let’s re-energize LNT at the chapter level.

BCHI LNT Master Educators should successfully complete a minimum of 2 trainings and 1 public awareness workshops, for a minimum duration of five years. BCHI does encourage LNT Master Educators to train beyond this timeframe, to include completion of LNT/Education refreshers courses as appropriate.

Examples of these annual trainings would be the LNT Train the Trainer session, and/or LNT awareness workshops. The public outreach will create and foster collaborative Leave No Trace Education trainings with agencies and organization.

Should the BCHI Master Educator conduct trainings beyond that of their chapter, The BCHI foundation should reimburse the BCHI Master Educator the prevailing BCHI mileage rate. The BCHI Master Educator will provide appropriate reimbursement documentation as required by BCHI foundation.

BCHI will continue to support statewide education efforts.

GRANTS to pay for education Items

Marybeth to develop by October month end an education template to request grants monies to cover master education tuition cost plus a jacket.

BCHI Educators List

Working to update the current list of BCHI LNT Master Educators and Trainers. So far 3 of 16 chapters have provided information. Marybeth plans to attend the Master Educator Clinic in 2018.

BCHI Education/Expansion Video

Completed and on the website. Chapters can use this at public outreach events. Who can tell me where it is on the website? Watch Video

* A big thanks to Robbin, who continues to support BCHI education efforts even though he has moved.

BCHI website updated with relevant Education materials

Plan to start with the LNT section after completing the Master Education course in 2018. Every BCHI chapter should start to submit electronic education materials to the BCHI Education chair for inclusion. Mb is meeting with the website coordinator this month to recommend changes. Need to make Education information on the website easier to find.

BCHI now has a co- chair- “A big thanks to Karen Kimball” and watch for more details about Idaho’s first ever Leadership Training

In 2018, I will coordinate BCHI Leadership training with Karen to have something for members at the BCHI convention. Having Karen as an Education co-chair will help to move BCHI education and this project forward. A training template was recently created and emailed to Karen. Idea to have rotating three training modules on Sunday, so folks could attend and then head home from. Reached out to Rob to iron out logistics. More details to come.

BCHI EC and CEC Job descriptions

Completed in 2016 and now are available to all BCHI members. All chapters received these attachments, and EC job description is on the website. MB will email the CEC job description to our amazing website coordinator by month end.

BCHI now has a Sawyer Training coordinator

Dale Schremp, will now be handling this for the state, after he gets back from hunting! His number is 208-448-1255 and you can email him at anchorranch@sandpoint.net.

BCHA President’s call notes – September 2017

05. October 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events

BCHA President’s call notes
respectfully submitted by Marybeth Conger, BCHI Alt National Director

On 9/ 27/ 17 I participated in BCHA Presidents ‘phone conference covering a variety of BCHA topics and activities. It is just amazing to me, to see and hear about all the outstanding work BCHA continues to do for us. Idaho was very well represented on this conference, as Amy attended too. Anyways, here are some of highlights that stood out:

Chairman Report, Freddy Dunn- BCHI should continue to pay for their national directors to attend the national board meeting. Regarding funding, consider adding a line to your membership application to make additional donation.
Treasurer’s report- As of August, current income is ahead of expenses. BCHA may have a slight expense overage by the end of year. BCHA is working to developing simpler reports for use during the fiscal year.

It is the recommendation of the BCHA Legacy Committee, that BCHA to consider opening of a stock brokerage account for BCHA to receive stock and bond donations. The Executive committee is researching to see if this action would impact current BCHA by-laws and/ or governance rules.

Public Land Report- (Note- I am only reporting on what was presented at the NATIONAL level. BCHI’s amazing Public land reps will continue to report and make recommendations about land issues in their areas.)

• Congressional champion identified who is willing to promote increase in Forest Service trails funding (CMTL) in Fiscal Year 2018. Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley sits on the appropriations committee, so we have an advocate in the relevant subcommittee.

• CMTL currently slated to get $77 million in the House bill (a $2 million cut from 2017 level). The Land and Water Conservation Fund is up for reauthorization by Congress. LWCF has benefited Trail access. It has been used for purchasing conservation easements, purchasing land outright and we would like calls made re supporting its reauthorization and full funding. Bipartisan-supported bills now that would do this are HR 502 and S 569. Alabama, Montana, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee will lose out on trail related projects next year if LWCF funding cut as proposed by House (only $275 million, when last year it was$400 million.

• Bikes in Wilderness Bill (HR 1349), the good news is there’s been no further action on the bill. BCHA is working with the American Horse Council, who is meeting with the house natural resources committee staff. The committee has other priorities that they want to get passed. BCHA will continue to track the bill.

Back Country Horsemen of America has added to its value to members by offering excess
Equestrian liability insurance through Equisure . The liability policy is available to BCHA
individual and family members in good standing and covers excess personal liability up to $1
million. Cost for the policy is $20 for individual and $40 for family BCHA members.
To purchase a policy or to learn more visit: https://bcha.site-ym.com/store/ListProducts.aspx?catid=584459.

Should anyone wish to review the actual minutes, I will be happy to make those available. Please take a minute to check out the BCHA website that contains a wealth of information. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to attend this meeting as BCHI’s Alternate Director. See you on the trail!

BCHI Foundation Report – September 2017

30. September 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

Foundation Quarterly – September 2017

BCHI Foundation News

03. April 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

Foundation News: foundation quarterly March 2017
Amazon Smile: AMAZONSMILE

BCHI March Education news

03. April 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events

BCHA: Take Action – Chiefs Strategy & Selection of Priority Areas

25. March 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

Dear BCHI Member,
Please funnel your input thru your Lands Liaisons and/or State Directors to Rod Parks at public-lands-north@bchi.org and Phil Ryan at public-lands-south@bchi.org, as they are already in the middle of this issue.

Thank,
Bill Conger
Chairman

Take Action

BCHA encourages you to immediately reach out to your U.S. Forest Service regional trail coordinators. A contact list is provided below. The agency needs your help to identify priority areas for increased trail maintenance accomplishments.

Background
As a result of BCHA’s efforts to shape and promote the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act, signed into law in November 2016, the U.S. Forest Service is required to identify 9 to 15 “priority areas for increased trail maintenance accomplishments” (Section 5, Public Law 114-245). The Act specifies there must be at least one priority area in each of the nine U.S. Forest Service regions.

A copy of Act can be found on BCHA’s website. The Forest Service national office recently issued instructions to its nine regional offices to provide initial guidance for implementation of the Act. In it, they direct regional offices to work with the public to identify and rank recommended priority areas, which are to be submitted by Forest Service regional offices to the national office by April 15th, 2017.

Thus, time is of the essence.

Reach out to USFS Regional Trail Coordinators
If you have not done so already, we encourage BCH chapters to work with their Forest Service regional trail coordinators within the next few weeks to share input on the selection of priority areas. Contact information for each regional trail coordinator can be found at the end of this alert.
National Board Members:

Please be prepared to bring to next month’s National Board Meeting an update on conversations your state is having with Forest Service regional trail coordinators.

Chief’s National Strategy for a Sustainable Trail System
The Forest Service is excited about the timing of the passage of the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act and the agency’s completion this month of the Chief’s National Strategy for a Sustainable Trail System

The strategy outlines a series of strategic actions to move the agency toward attaining a more sustainable trail system, including:

Evaluation and potential reorganization of the agency’s Trail Program to increase field capacity;
Creation of a national process for the identification of a sustainable trail system; and
Inviting the creation of a national Trails Endowment, to direct funding to on-the-ground projects to be funded primarily via corporate/philanthropic donation.

The Forest Service Continues to be a Great Partner
BCHA shares the Forest Service’s enthusiasm over the fact that trails, and trail maintenance, recently have become a higher priority within the agency. We greatly appreciate that the Chief and leaders of the agency’s trails program, like Joe Meade, have been welcoming partners throughout the Trails Act process. By developing the Chief’s strategy, they also have taken decisive action to tackle the challenges identified in a 2013 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (titled “Forest Service Trails: Long- and Short-Term Improvements Could Reduce Maintenance Backlog and Enhance System Sustainability.” GAO-13-618). We salute these go-getters.

Conclusion
Now it’s time to gather additional partners, roll up our sleeves and get some more trail maintenance done. BCHA’s volunteers cannot be expected to reverse the trail maintenance backlog by ourselves, but with the breadth of partners and goodwill we have accumulated over the years, there is no better time to ensure our legacy of “keeping trails open for everyone.”

Donald Saner

Chairman

Regional Points of Contact regarding the Identification of Trail Maintenance Priority Areas:

Region	Contact	Email	Phone
1 – Northern Region	Kent Wellner	kwellner@fs.fed.us	406-329-3150
2 – Rocky Mountain Region	Scott Haas	sehaas@fs.fed.us	303-275-5164
3 – Southwestern Region	Dennis Garcia	dggarcia@fs.fed.us	505-842-3443
4 – Intermountain Region	Chris Hartman	chartman01@fs.fed.us	801-625-5164
5 – Pacific Southwest Region	Garrett Villanueva	gvillanueva@fs.fed.us	530-543-2762
6 – Pacific Northwest Region	Dennis Benson	denniscbenson@fs.fed.us	541-604-4570
8 – Southern Region	Debbie Caffin	dcaffin@fs.fed.us	404-347-4033
9 – Eastern Region	Leon LaVigne	llavigne@fs.fed.us	414-297-1313
10 –Alaska Region	Sharon Seim	sharongseim@fs.fed.us	907-388-8804

Don’t know which region your state falls into? Click here for a map of Forest Service regions.

2016 BCHI Hours & Miles Summary

22. March 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events

Resolution that BCH of New Mexico is bringing forward at the BCHA National Directors’ Annual Meeting, April 20-22

21. March 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events

Members of Back Country Horsemen of Idaho

Attached is a Resolution that BCH of New Mexico is bringing forward at the BCHA National Directors’ Annual Meeting, April 20-22.

Please discuss with your membership and have your chapter’s directors or president send your comments and/or questions to both of our National Directors and to the Chairman at:

Bill Conger
chairman@bchi.org

Amy Lyman
national-director-1@bchi.org

Sam Duncan
national-director-2@bchi.org

Regards,

—
Debbie Samovar
BCHI Secretary
secretarybchi@gmail.com
208-245-3041

BCHANM_Proposed_Resolution_for_BCHA_NBM_2017

BLM – Recreation Planners

13. March 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA

BLM Seeks Public Input on Travel Plan Analyses around Birds of Prey NCA

The Bureau of Land Management is preparing an environmental assessment for a travel management plan that will encompass public lands within and around Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area.

Idaho Wildlife Federation

12. March 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events

The Idaho Wildlife Federation is Idaho’s oldest statewide conservation organization. Founded by sportsmen and women in 1936, we’re a leader in creating solutions to solve complex natural resource issues to protect our fish and wildlife, their habitats, and our hunting and fishing traditions.

http://www.idahowildlife.org/Our efforts advance “made in Idaho” solutions that sustain wildlife and sporting opportunities that thrive while maintaining local economies and working agricultural landscapes through sound policy work, landscape planning, and education.

Our Mission

The Idaho Wildlife Federation is dedicated to promoting the conservation and protection of our natural resources, wildlife, and wildlife habitat for future and current generations.

Who We Are

Founded in 1936, the Idaho Wildlife Federation is Idaho’s oldest statewide conservation organization. For the last 80 years, Idaho citizens with farsighted commitment to conservation have united to ensure wildlife’s future. We are sportsmen and women, business people, farmers and ranchers, children, parents and grandparents, teachers, laborers, students — in short, all of us who care about wildlife and care about our futures. The Idaho Wildlife Federation proves that conservation is all of us working together. By committing to work together for wildlife in spite of our differences, IWF will continue to lead the offensive for Idaho’s wildlife as a united voice, as it has for the last 80 years.

What We Do

The Idaho Wildlife Federation is the sportsman advocate and voice in the state legislature. We are present at the statehouse every day during the annual legislative session to advance proactive sportsman legislation and defeat bills that would roll back fish and wildlife protections, privatize wildlife, and turn over our shared public lands to the states for private sale.

We defend our public lands and our right to access them. We know that our system of public lands offers unspoiled, unfragmented, connected landscapes that provide a richness of fish and wildlife with unparalleled hunting and fishing afforded nowhere else in the United States.

We also represent sportsmen interests and sound wildlife management within landscape planning processes that involve state and federal agencies as well as private land. We do this by engaging communities and involving local constituents to create local solutions. By coordinating these efforts and the efforts of other organizations interested in the conservation of natural resources of the state of Idaho, IWF fosters and promotes a general and continued movement for the conservation, restoration, protection, and scientific supervision of all game, fish, fowl, and other wildlife in its habitat in the state.

Brian Brooks, Executive Director

(Speaker at the 2017 BCHI Convention)

Brian grew up in Idaho hunting and fishing in every corner of the state. He has had a fly rod or spinning rod in his hands since he was four years old and began hunting birds at 12. Big game soon followed. Idaho’s extensive system of public lands kept Brian in pursuit of fish and game further and further into the backcountry. Combining the exploration of Idaho’s seemingly limitless wild places with the primal participation in the cycle of life and death, Brian developed a respect and reverence for land and wildlife and the active role sportsmen and women play in their management.

The realization that our accessible public lands, clean waters, and robust fish and wildlife populations didn’t happen on accident motivated Brian to pursue an education that would give him the tools to work to preserve and enhance the opportunities he grew up with for others, forever. He received a B.S. in Conservation Social Science, a Masters of Natural Resources, and a Certificate in Restoration Ecology from the University of Idaho. Brian’s professional experience includes leading habitat restoration and trail crews, forestry, salmon and steelhead restoration planning, wildlife rehab/sanctuary manager, outdoor writer, and natural resource policy.

Besides fishing and hunting, Brian enjoys mountain and road biking, skiing and snowboarding, backpacking, and morel hunting.

IWF Is The Sportsman Voice in The State Legislature

We are at the state house every time sportsmen interests are under attack. We facilitate strategic legislative planning for sportsmen groups, professionally represent their interests in the legislature, promptly disseminate action alerts to our groups and supporters, and maintain close contact with the press. With a wealth of knowledge of natural resource policy, we operate by anticipating bad bills to efficiently defeat them, authoring proactive wildlife and sportsmen legislation, testifying in committee, and utilizing our state of the art communication and outreach system.

Click this link to find your local legislators https://legislature.idaho.gov/about/12districtmap.pdf

Idaho Wildlife Federation
P.O. Box 6426
Boise, ID 83707
Phone: 208.342.7055
Email: info@idahowildlife.org

BCHA History Video

11. March 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: Around The Campfire, BCHI /BCHA

Watch Video

BCHI Positions need to be filled at March Convention

23. February 2017 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA

Dear Directors and Chapter members,
There are currently 3 positions that need to be filled at the March 10th SBD,s meeting.

Rod Parks is stepping down as Website Coordinator. This position can be filled from the general membership and a job description is attached. BCHI Website Coordinator Duties

Also need to elect a National Director for a 2 yr term and an Alternate National Director for a 1 yr term. These positions are elected in March with their terms ending after the April BCHA Annual meeting.
Attached is the job description as provided by BCHA. The annual meetings require a 7 day commitment, 5 days of meetings and 2 days of travel. Registration fees, travel, lodging and meals are reimbursed according to the attached policy.

NBD Job Description 16.03.11 National Directors’ Reimbursement

If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Karen Kimball at 208-772-2434 or jkkimball01@gmail.com.

BCHI Calendars VS Dues Increase

10. November 2016 · Comments Off · Categories: BCHI /BCHA, Current Events

Back Country Horsemen of Idaho Member

At the September BCHI Directors Meeting some chapters expressed an interest in increasing BCHI dues to cover expenses rather than selling raffle calendars.

At my request, Kay Ryan and Rod Parks went through the finances. Attached is a letter of their findings.

Maybe one of the chapters that is against the calendar sales will have a proposal for the 2017 Convention. If we do not do a calendar after 2018, we will need to pass the dues increase in 2017, payable in 2019 or we will have to spend about $12,000 out of reserves until a dues increase is approved or another form of funding is put in force.

This letter will be in the February issue of Broomtales and on the Agenda of the March Convention.

Please look this over and discuss with you chapter.

Thank you,
Bob Savage
Chairman,
bchibsavage@gmail.com
208-448-2457

bchi-raffle-calendars-versus-dues-increase